Single dose of a vaccine based on DNA encoding mycobacterial hsp65 protein plus TDM-loaded PLGA microspheres protects mice against a virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The high incidence of tuberculosis around the world and the inability of BCG to protect certain populations clearly indicate that an improved vaccine against tuberculosis is needed. A single antigen, the mycobacterial heat shock protein hsp65, is sufficient to protect BALB/c mice against challenge infection when administered as DNA vaccine in a three-dose-based schedule. In order to simplify the vaccination schedule, we coencapsulated hsp65-DNA and trehalose dimicolate (TDM) into biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres. BALB/c mice immunized with a single dose of DNA-hsp65/TDM-1oaded microspheres produced high levels of IgG2a subtype antibody and high amounts of IFN-gamma in the supernatant of spleen cell cultures. DNA-hsp65/TDM-loaded microspheres were also able to induce high IFN-gamma production in bulk lung cells from challenged mice and confer protection as effective as that attained after three doses of naked DNA administration. This new formulation also allowed a ten-fold reduction in the DNA dose when compared to naked DNA. Thus, this combination of DNA vaccine and adjuvants with immunomodulatory and carrier properties holds the potential for an improved vaccine against tuberculosis.

Variable dose rate application of herbicides using optical sensors

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a variable dose rate application of herbicides using an online electronic control based system with optical sensors for weed detection in forested areas. The proposed concept was to apply a basic dose on 100% of the area (aiming to control small weeds) and to apply a complementary patch-spraying dose only on areas with higher weed infestation. For that purpose, a conventional spray boom was adjusted to apply 40% of the herbicide dose on the full area and the optical sensors were used to control the application of the complementary dose (60%) only on areas with higher infestation. The results showed that the system performed adequately. Field applications presented herbicide savings around 20 to 30%, with a similar weed control performance as compared to the full dose application on 100% of the area.

An open-label, comparative study of the efficacy and safety of once-daily dose of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in the treatment of proximal lower limb deep-vein thrombosis

Background: Treatment of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) with a once-daily regimen of enoxaparin, rather than a continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin (UFH) is more convenient and allows for home care in some patients. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of these two regimens for the treatment of patients with proximal lower limb DVT. Methods: 201 patients with proximal lower limb DVT from 13 centers in Brazil were randomized in an open manner to receive either enoxaparin [1.5 mg/kg subcutaneous (s.c.) OD] or intravenous (i.v.) UFH (adjusted to aPTT 1.5-2.5 times control) for 5-10 days. All patients also received warfarin (INR 2-3) for at least 3 months. The primary efficacy endpoint Was recurrent DVT (confirmed by venography or ultrasonography), and safety endpoints included bleeding and serious adverse events. The rate of pulmonary embolism (PE) was also collected. Hospitalization was at the physician's discretion. Results: Baseline patient characteristics were comparable between groups. The duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter with enoxaparin than with UFH (3 versus 7 days). In addition, 36% of patients receiving enoxaparin did not need to be hospitalized, whereas all of the patients receiving UFH were! hospitalized. The treatment duration was slightly longer with enoxaparin (8 versus 7 days). There was a nonsignificant trend toward a reduction in the rate of recurrent DVT with enoxaparin versus UFH, and similar safety. Conclusions: A once-daily regimen of enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneous is at least as effective and safe as conventional treatment with a continuous intravenous infusion of UFH. However, the once daily enoxaparin regimen is easier to administer (subcutaneous versus intravenous), does not require aPTT monitoring, and leads to both a reduced number of hospital admissions and an average 4-day-shorter hospital stay. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Resposta do abacaxizeiro 'Vitória' a doses de nitrogênio em solos de tabuleiros costeiros da Paraíba

Informations about fertilization and mineral nutrition of the new fusariosis-resistant pineapple cultivars are still scarce, despite the importance of this crop. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of N on fruit yield and quality of the pineapple cultivar 'Vitoria' grown on a 'Humiluvico Espodossolo' in the region of Tabuleiros Costeiros, in the state of Paraiba. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, using five N doses (100, 200, 300, 500 and 600 kg ha(-1)N, as urea) applied 60, 180 and 270 days after planting (dap) with three replications. The following variables were evaluated: length and fresh matter of the 'D' leaf; contents of N, P and K in the portions with and without chlorophyll, 300 and 420 dap; average weight, yield, physical properties (fruit weight, length and medium diameter; crown weight and length) and chemical properties (pH, soluble solids -SS, titrable acidity - AT, and the SS/AT ratio) of the fruits at harvest. Increasing N doses linearly increased length and fresh matter of the 'D' leaf and N content and decrease both P and K contents of the chlorophyll portion 300 dap, but did not affect nutrient contents 420 dap; in the chlorophyll-free portion. Increasing N doses, also, led to an increase in K contents 320 dap, but to reductions 420 dap. Individual fruit weight and total yield increased with increasing N doses, as maximum values of 1.0 kg and 37.9 t ha(-1) were estimated at doses of 409.0 and 439.0 kg ha(-1) N, respectively. The N doses did not affect the fruit quality properties, which were compatible with the characteristics described for this cultivar.

Doses de potássio em cobertura na primeira soca da cultura da cana-de-açúcar cultivada no norte matogrossense

The sugar cane crop has been cultivated in all regions of the Brazil, occupying different soil types. The north region of Mato Grosso has favorable climate conditions for the culture, however, has been achieved low productivity due to the not application of fertilizer and inefficient doses. Being the potassium the mineral element absorbed in large amount by culture. Aimed to with this work to evaluate the effect of growing doses of the nutrient applied in coverage in the second cycle of the variety of sugar cane IAC86-2480. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. The Potassium doses were: 0; 60; 120; 180 e 240 kg ha(-1) of K(2)O. Was evaluated the degrees Brix, diameter, weigth, height and productivity of stalk. No was significant effects for the variable degrees Brix in response to potassium doses, since to others had response quadratic. The dose of maximum agronomic efficiency was of 150 kg ha(-1) de K(2)O obtaining productivity of 85 t ha(-1) of stalk, representing 25% increase in productivity.

Potencial alelopático de extrato etanólico de Anadenanthera macrocarpa e Astronium graveolens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the allelophatic potential ethanol extract of leaves of Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan (angico) and Astronium graveolens Jacq (aroeira) on the biomonitor germination of Brassica chinensis (Malaysia's cabbage) and Lactuca sativa (lettuce). For the test of allelopathy was the bioassay of germination of B. chinensis and L. sativa using solutions of ethanol extracts in different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 mg / mL) with continuous light for 11 days. The experimental and control groups were divided into the Petri dish containing 50 seeds of B. chinensis and L. sativa each. Were performed six replicates for each concentration of extract of leaves of A. macrocarpa and A. graveolens and the negative control (water). The rolling action of the treatments was performed by quantitative observation and monitoring of germination every six hours. The results show that the ethanol extract of A. macrocarpa and A. graveolens presents allelopathic potential, regardless of the concentration used, but with answers dose-dependent, and thus able to interfere directly in germination, average speed and time of germination biomonitor of B. chinensis and L. sativa.

Dose-related antinociceptive effects of intravenous buprenorphine in cats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A metodologia de superfície de resposta como ferramenta para a avaliação da produção de alginato e poli-hidroxibutirato pela Azotobacter vinelandii

The response surface methodology as a tool for assessing the production of alginate and polyhydroxybutirate by Azotobacter vinelandii. Alginate is a polysaccharide extracted from cell walls of brown algae and used in the food, pharmaceuticals and biotech industries. Production is concentrated on the cultivation of brown seaweed, but several bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas and Azotobacter produce alginate. The chemical structure of alginates produced by algae is similar to those synthesized by A. vinelandii. The bacteria also produce intracellular polymers such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), known as bioplastic. This work studied the simultaneous alginate and PHB production by A. vinelandii using sucrose and different parameters of fermentation in an orbital shaker. The optimal values for the production of these compounds were determined by the MSR. The first experiment was a 2(6-2) factorial design. The second was based on significant variables of the first, resulting in a full 3(3-0) factorial design. From the first to the second, an increase was observed in the PHB productivity from 12 to 45 mg g(-1) cell h(-1) and alginate from 100 to 1,600 mg g(-1) of cell h(-1). The productivity of both compounds was in the maximum incubation temperature of 62 degrees C, in the shortest time of incubation (18h) and the sucrose concentration, 11 g L(-1). In both experiments the PHB extracted presented purity of 94%.

Avaliação da vacinação anti-rábica e da suplementação com probiótico na resposta imune humoral em bovinos

This study evaluated the humoral immune response of a new rabies vaccine developed by the Instituto Butantan (potency of 3.27 UI/ml) in primovaccinated cattle and the effect of probiotic on this response. Thirty-four 15-month old Nelore cattle were randomly divided into 2 groups (17 animals/group). All the animals were vaccinated on day 0 (zero) and then animals in one group received probiotic added to a mineral mixture (GP) while the others were given only the mineral mixture (GC). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 75 and 150 for rabies neutralizing antibodies titers by seroneutralization assay on BHK21 cells (RFFIT). Protective antibody titers (>= 0.5 UI/mL) were found in 82.4% of the animals from GP and in 76.5% of the animals from GC and no statistical difference (p>0.05) between antibody titers in GP and GC was detected on days 75 and 150. It was also observed that in both groups antibody titers was decreased on day 150 (p<0.01). In conclusion, the tested rabies vaccine promotes efficient soroconversion and keeps antibody levels in primovaccinated cattle, but probiotic does not affect the humoral anti-rabies immune response.

Autoradiographic investigation of effects of high-dose colchicine on dentinogenesis in rat incisors

Twelve female Wistar rats received 1.5 mg/kg of colchicine (CLC) intravenously. Control animals were similarly injected with isotonic saline solution. The animals were killed 5 h, 24 h, 3 days and 7 days after injection. Ninety minutes prior to sacrifice, all animals received an intraperitoneal injection of 3H-proline. Autoradiograms of maxillary incisors showed that CLC increased the retention of the labeled precursor in the odontoblasts. It was also shown that the odontoblasts in the different sectors of the rat incisor present different sensitivities to the CLC action.

Biomecánica da movimentação ortodôntica--resposta inicial dos tecidos periodontais.

There occurs a biological response of the tissues of dental support, in answer to the external physiological forces and those realized during clinical treatments with orthodontical purposes. These forces differ from the first ones because they are continuous and time dependent. A great dental mobility is related to the degree of tissue organization of the periodontium system and the orthodontical movement must utilize this exceptional capacity of renewal and adaptation of the periodontium structures adequately. Therefore, through histological means a search was made to evaluate the succession of alterations of the periodontium system after the application of an orthodontical force on the molars of young rats and to interpret the standards of horizontal mobility and their consequences on the periodontium structures, biologically. An orthodontic force was applied on young rats utilizing steel wire placed in a ring form on a contact point between the first and second lower molars. The animals were sacrificed after 30 minutes, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 hours after the placement of the metal ring. After technical preparation, the microscopic slides were examined and the results were compared. In all the sections there was evidence of an intense metabolic activity. A gradual evolution of modification on the phenomenons had occurred.

Resposta metabólica de pacientes cirróticos (Child A) ao aumento da ingestão protéica e/ou calórica. Estudo do balanço nitrogenado.

The dietary protein assimilation by cirrhotic undernourished patients (lower lean body mass and plasma TBPA and RBP levels) was investigated in five-adult male subjects suffering from histologically diagnosed liver cirrhosis, in its clinically mild stage (Child-Turcotte-Pugh grade A). During the 9 day-dietary study the patients received orally a sequence of complete-regional diets containing different protein-energy compositions identified as (g prot/Cal/kg/day): D0 = 0.42/20.9; D1 = 0.91/37.5; D2 = 0.99/47.9 and D3 = 1.60/40.5. The respective N-balance values (g/day) found were (mean +/- SD): low protein calorie (D0) = -4.24 +/- 2.46; normal protein calorie (D1) = 0.66 +/- 1.99; normal protein-high calorie (D2) = 1.14 +/- 2.54; high protein normal calorie (D3) = 5.12 +/- 2.48. The correspondent urea-N output (g/kg/day) were D0 = 0.22 +/- 0.100; D1 = 0.238 +/- 0.099; D = 0.20 +/- 0.063 and D3 = 0.310 +/- 0.121. The present data thus suggest that protein rather than energy intake would be the limited factor for increasing the N-retention in (mild) cirrhotic patients whom tolerate well dietary protein at either normal or elevated levels.